Lotus Elan Identification Guide

A quick guide to identifying each Elan and Plus 2 variant

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of differences between the cars; it is a quick identification guide. Lotus made many undocumented running changes throughout production. If in doubt, post a question to the LotusElan.net forum and ask.
Jump to: Roadster / Drophead Coupé Racing Version Plus 2 Super Safety Documentation

Roadster / Drophead

Elan 1500 Type 26 Elan 1500 Roadster

No photo available — Elan 1500
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 26/
  • 1500 badge on boot
  • All were recalled from the factory and updated to Elan 1600 specification
  • Round tail lights
  • Boot lid does not extend all the way to the trailing edge of the car
  • Lift-up windows, manually operated

Elan 1600 Type 26 S1 Roadster

Type 26 Elan 1600 (S1) showing round tail lights and lift-up windows
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 26/
  • 1600 badge on boot
  • Round tail lights
  • Boot lid does not extend all the way to the trailing edge of the car
  • Lift-up windows, manually operated

Roadster S2 Type 26 S2 Roadster

Type 26 Elan S2 with oval tail lights Type 26 Elan S2 alternate view
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 26/
  • Oval tail lights (early cars had round lights)
  • Boot lid does not extend all the way to the trailing edge of the car
  • Lift-up windows, manually operated

Drophead S3 Type 45 S3 DHC

No photo available — Drophead S3
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 45/
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Oval tail lights

Drophead S3 S/E Type 45 S3 S/E DHC

Type 45 S3 S/E DHC with electric roll-up windows
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 45/
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Oval tail lights
  • S/E badged
  • Stainless steel side trims & wing-mounted flasher repeaters on most cars

Drophead S4 Type 45 S4 DHC

Type 45 S4 DHC with square tail lights
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 45/; from 1970 on: 70nnnnnnnnL, 71nnnnnnnnL, 72nnnnnnnnL, or 73nnnnnnnnL
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Square tail lights
  • Square-profile wheelarches

Drophead S4 S/E Type 45 S4 S/E DHC

Type 45 S4 S/E DHC showing stainless steel trim Type 45 S4 S/E DHC alternate view
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 45/; from 1970 on: 70nnnnnnnnL, 71nnnnnnnnL, 72nnnnnnnnL, or 73nnnnnnnnL
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Square tail lights
  • Square-profile wheelarches
  • S/E badged
  • Stainless steel side trims & wing-mounted flasher repeaters on most cars

Drophead Sprint Type 45 Sprint DHC

Type 45 Sprint DHC with unique two-tone paint
  • VIN/Chassis number from 1971 on: 71nnnnnnnnL, 72nnnnnnnnL, or 73nnnnnnnnL
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Square tail lights
  • Badged as Sprint
  • Unique two-tone paint; could be deleted as a factory option
  • Square-profile wheelarches
  • Complete Sprint Details

Coupé

Coupé S3 Pre-Airflow Type 36 FHC Pre-Airflow

Type 36 FHC pre-airflow showing no extractor grill
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 36/
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Oval tail lights
  • No extractor grill on the B pillar

Coupé S3 Airflow Type 36 S3 FHC

Type 36 FHC with extractor grill on rear quarter panel
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 36/
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Oval tail lights
  • Extractor grill on the rear quarter panel

Coupé S3 S/E Airflow Type 36 S3 S/E FHC

No photo available — Coupé S3 S/E Airflow
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 36/
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Oval tail lights
  • Extractor grill on the rear quarter panel
  • S/E badged
  • Stainless steel side trims & wing-mounted flasher repeaters on most cars

Coupé S4 Type 36 S4 FHC

Type 36 S4 FHC with square tail lights
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 36/; from 1970 on: 70nnnnnnnnL, 71nnnnnnnnL, 72nnnnnnnnL, or 73nnnnnnnnL
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Square tail lights
  • Square-profile wheelarches

Coupé S4 S/E Type 36 S4 S/E FHC

No photo available — Coupé S4 S/E
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 36/; from 1970 on: 70nnnnnnnnL, 71nnnnnnnnL, 72nnnnnnnnL, or 73nnnnnnnnL
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Square tail lights
  • Square-profile wheelarches
  • S/E badged
  • Stainless steel side trims & wing-mounted flasher repeaters on most cars

Coupé Sprint Type 36 Sprint FHC

Type 36 Sprint FHC with unique two-tone paint
  • VIN/Chassis number from 1971 on: 71nnnnnnnnL, 72nnnnnnnnL, or 73nnnnnnnnL
  • Electric roll-up windows
  • Doors with fixed window frames
  • Square tail lights
  • Badged as Sprint
  • Unique two-tone paint; could be deleted as a factory option
  • Square-profile wheelarches
  • Complete Sprint Details

Racing Version

26R Type 26 26R Race

Type 26R race car with fixed headlights
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 26-
  • Fixed headlights (but not all)
  • Magnesium Lotus-designed peg drive wheels

26R S2 Type 26 26R Race S2

Type 26R S2 race car with fixed headlights
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 26-S2
  • Fixed headlights (but not all)
  • Magnesium Lotus-designed peg drive wheels
  • Lightweight body
  • Flared fenders

Plus 2

Plus 2 Type 50 +2

Type 50 Plus 2 dashboard showing 2 large and 4 small gauges
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 50/0001
  • 2 large gauges: Speedometer, Tachometer
  • 4 small gauges: Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel

Plus 2 Federal Type 50 +2 Federal

No photo available — Plus 2 Federal
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 50/0857 (US); 50/0929 (all markets)
  • 2 large gauges: Speedometer, Tachometer
  • 4 small gauges: Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel
  • Remote boot release, flush interior door handles, modified exhaust

Plus 2S Type 50 +2 2S

Type 50 Plus 2S exterior view Type 50 Plus 2S alternate view
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 50/1593
  • 2 large gauges: Speedometer, Tachometer
  • 6 small gauges: Oil, Water Temp, Battery Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
  • 4 warning lights in centre of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen)
  • New luxury interior including revised seats and centre console
  • Fog/driving lamps below the bumper

Plus 2S Federal Type 50 +2 2S Federal

No photo available — Plus 2S Federal
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 50/2447
  • 2 large gauges: Speedometer, Tachometer
  • 6 small gauges: Oil, Water Temp, Battery Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
  • 4 warning lights in centre of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen)
  • Luxury interior including revised seats and centre console
  • Fog/driving lamps below the bumper

Plus 2S 130 Type 50 +2 130

Type 50 Plus 2S 130 exterior front Type 50 Plus 2S 130 exterior rear Type 50 Plus 2S 130 dashboard showing 6 small gauges and 3 warning lights Type 50 Plus 2S 130 detail view
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 71.01…0001
  • 2 large gauges: Speedometer, Tachometer
  • 6 small gauges: Oil, Water Temp, Battery Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
  • 3 warning lights in centre of dash (Hazard, Park/Brake Fail, Rear Screen)
  • Luxury interior including revised seats and centre console
  • Big Valve engine
  • Fog/driving lamps below the bumper

Plus 2S 130/5 Type 50 +2 130/5

No photo available — Plus 2S 130/5
  • VIN/Chassis number starts with 72.10…
  • Same as Plus 2S 130 with 5-speed gearbox